The Best of Imaging at CEA Line Shows

Annual Mid-Year Gathering in NY Attracts Big Crowds

June 25, 2010 By Michael McEnaney

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More and more imaging manufacturers are discovering what tremendous opportunities the annual CEA Line Shows event in New York holds for them as a mid-year stage for their latest and greatest. At the 2010 show, held this week in Manhattan, several imaging companies used the crowded show floor to demo their various new hardware and software solutions.

A convenient midtown location at 7 West 34th Street provided the back drop as over 60 consumer electronic vendors grabbed booth space to present a wide range of “must have” gadgets and gizmos ranging from 3D TV to solar powered charging devices.

We’ll take a closer look at what made news from the digital imaging side of the equation in this space as accessories, storage, capture and output needs were all impressively addressed.

We’ll present what was on tap in the same order we stumbled upon it as we strolled the show floor.

Tiffen showcased  a nifty solution for all those iPhone  owners out there, at least the ones that are having trouble recording steady video/pics with the device, as the company demonstrated the Smoothie. A super-light metal frame with quick-release grip to hold the phone itself; a rigid vertical handle; and their Steadicam product’s usual stabilization technology that keeps the camera still and steady while you’re moving it around are all a part of the Smoothie. The iPhone grip also detaches for use as a desktop support, or it can be attached to a standard tripod. Very cool and it fills a major need.

Tiffen also announced the new Photo fx Ultra, a version of its award winning photo enhancement app, is now available for the Apple iPad at the Apple Store. Photo fx Ultra offers, as Tiffen explains, “An elegant new user interface that takes full advantage of the increased screen size.” Included with the iPad app is a new Color Correct filter, a choice of 68 filters organized into 7 different filter groups, 836 presets and parameter choices, 65 different color or black and white film looks, search capability, the ability to share filter effect set-ups with Tiffen’s Dfx Digital Filter and much more for $5.99.

ToCAD America rolled out their impressive Sunpak line of photo accessories including the Sunpak 423PX Tripod with Pistol Grip Ball Head. This model is a carbon fiber tripod that can be used for photo as well as video.  It has a Pistol Grip ball head, so you can move the head in any position quickly and easily with the squeeze and release of the trigger lock.